Chain link fencing



Oct. 3, 1967 J. A. RlvELLl 3,345,040

v CHAIN LINK FENCING` Filed Aug. 26, 1965 .2 sheets-sheet 1 JOSEPH A. RIVELLI BY n t ff@ #MMM ATTORNEY Oct. 3, 1967 J. A. RlvELLl CHAINLINK FENCING 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 26, 1965 ATTORNEY United States Patent O This invention relates generally to fencing and more particularly to improved chain link fencing and method for installing same.

By reason of the fact that chain link fencing makes an excellent barrier for property its use has become wide spread in both rural and urban areas. In the usual case the fence is installed by locating posts in the ground at specified intervals, these posts generally having concrete poured around their bases to give them lateral stability. After the posts are placed in the ground, the chain link fencing is anchored at a corner post, and the fencing is stretched from post to post over the line of pre-set posts. The latter operation poses some problems particularly in that a winch or block and fall must be used to tension the fencing properly before it is secured at the post. This latter operation is not the easiest one for an amateur, and many times he is not possessed of the proper equipment to install the fence expeditiously, although he may well understand the method of installation.

According to the present invention it is unnecessary to preset the fence posts in concrete, nor is it necessary to stretch the fencing in the aforesaid manner. The structure and method according to the present invention thereby makes it unnecessary to employ special equipment for tensioning the chain link fencing.

According to the present invention the chain link fencing is supported upon pre-installed ground engaging devices having a line post engaging portion extending above grade and preferably having telescoping engagement with the line posts. By way of example, the ground engaging devices are placed a modular distance apart, for example, The chain link fencing, on the other hand, has the line posts lirst secured thereto at some modular distance le-ss than 10', for example, 9'7". The line posts are first secured to chain link in the conventional manner while the fencing is laid upon the ground Vwith the slack taken up in the elements forming the same. In the usual case, the posts are hollow, and they can be slipped over the portion of the ground engaging devices protruding above the ground. This is accomplished by stretching the chain link fencing along the bottom elements thereof, and when the post is engaged with the protruding ground engaging elements, it can thereafter be rocked to a vertical position with all of the fencing between adjacent posts properly tensioned. The aforesaid operations can be carried out seriatim until the fence for the area to be enclosed is completed.

One of the principal objects of this invention is to provide an improved chain link fence and method of installing the same, the installation being characterized by the use only of conventional installation equipment.

Another object is to provide a chain link fencing having ground engaging devices which can be simply and readily placed into the ground and located desired modular distances apart, and to provide line posts engageable with the ground engaging element and secured to the chain link fencing at modular distances which are less than the modular distances between the ground engaging members, the chain linl` fencing being properly tensioned when secured to the ground engaging devices and the line posts disposed vertically.

A further and important object is to provide a chain link rence which can readily be dismantled from ground engaging members when it is necessary to change the dimensions of the fenced area or to remove same for installation at another site.

Other objects and important features of the invention will be apparent from a study of the specification following taken with the drawings which together describe and illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and a method of practicing the same, and what are now considered to be the best modes of practicing the principles thereof. Other embodiments may be suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein, and such other embodiments are intended to be reserved especially as they fall Within the scope of the subjoined claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. l is an elevational view of chain link fencing having the chain link fabric thereof secured to line posts secure thereto a specified modular distance apart;

FIG. 2 shows a plurality of ground engaging devices disposed in the-ground and having an element thereof protruding above the ground, said ground engaging devices being located a modular distance apart from each other greater than the modular distance between line posts of the fencing seen in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates the manner in which the fencing and the posts of FIG. 1 can be mounted on the protruding elements of the ground engaging members seen in FIG. 2, and showing a completed module of such fencing and a step taken in the completion and erection of such module;

FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of the method of securing the chain link fencing to a corner post of an enclosure;

FIG. 5 shows a detail of securing the chain link fencing to an intermediate post;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detailed view of one form of a ground engaging member showing the mode of attachment of a line post thereto;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the ground engaging member, certain parts thereof being shown in section;

FIG. 8 is a view looking in the direction of the arrows 8 8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an elevational View of another form of ground engaging member; and

FIG. l0 is a view looking in the direction of the arrows 10-10 of FIG. 9.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the improved structure and method of installation for chain link fencing is embodied in a typical length of fencing referred to by the reference number 15. It cornprises a length of fencing 16 of the conventional chain link type. Line posts 17 are secured to the chain link fencing 16 at a first modular distance IMD apart, the fencing 16 being secured to the line post 17 by looped and twisted tie wires 18 which are evenly spaced throughout the length of the line post 18, see also FIG. 5.

The chain link fencing 16 together with its line posts d6 are adapted to be placed in situ upon ground engaging members referred to generally by the reference numeral 20, see FIGS. 6 to 8. These ground engaging members 20 are adapted to be placed in the ground G and are each separated by a modular distance ZMD. Each of lthe ground engaging members 20 preferably consists of a tubular sleeve 21 having a ground entrant portion 211a terminating at the bottom thereof in a pointed ground penetrating shoe 22. Tubular sleeve 2r`1 has a portion 2lb extending above the ground. The ground entrant portion 21fb has a plurality of wing-like elements 23 extending therefrom, these being welded to the tube 211 in any convenient manner, as is also the ground penetrating shoe 22. The ground penetrating wing-like members 23 are essentially trapezoidal in shape, to provide at the top of each a shoulder 24 upon which the tubular line post 17 may rest.

The ground engaging members are placed in the ground with the shoulders 24 thereof substantially flush with the ground, the ground engaging members being placed therein by striking the same on the top thereof with a sledge, a vibrating tool or the like. Alternately, and as seen in FIGS. 9 and l0, there may be provided ground engaging members indicated generally by the reference numeral 25, `and comprising a solid cylindrical ground engaging member 26 having an entrant portion 26a and a portion 26b protruding from the ground. As with the embodiment seen in FIGS. 7 and 8 ground engaging member 2S has a plurality of ground penetrating wing-like members 27, and the ground penetrating portion 26a of the member 26 is provided with a pointed tip 28 for easy penetration into the ground G. The penetration of the ground engaging member is limited by a `circular flange 29 welded to the ground engaging member 26, as shown -in FIGS. 9 and 10.

As with the embodiment seen in FIGS. 6 to 8 inclusive, the latter embodiment is adapted to be driven into the ground by a sledge or other tool, the penetration being limited by the flange `29. In the two embodiments of the ground engaging member seen, the wing-like elements prevent lateral displacement of the ground engaging elements and the line posts secured thereto.

As was pointed out, the chain link fencing 16 seen in FIG. 1 has the line post 17 secured thereto, the distances between adjacent line post 17 being a first modular distance 1MD. On the other hand, the spacing of the ground engaging members 20 or 25 as the case may be, is a second modular distance 2MD. The spacing of the line posts (by a modular distance IMD), is done while the fencing is laid out with no slack therein. In a typical case, the spacing of the line posts will be of the order of 9'7", while the spacing of the ground engaging members 20 or 25 would be of the order of 100.

The erection of the chain link fencing 16 upon the ground engaging members 20 or 25 is best seen with respect to FIG. 3, wherein the right hand panel is seen as already in place. This may be done by placing a corner line post 17 on a corner ground engaging member. In order to place the next adjacent post on its ground engaging member, the said post is tilted as seen at the left in FIG. 3, the lower end of the line post 17 being canted, and the lower elements of the chain link fencing 16 being stretched so that the lower end of the post 17 can be placed over the protruding portion 2lb or 2Gb of the ground engaging member. When the lower end of the pole is thus engaged with the protruding portion 2lb or 26b, the line post can then be straightened to a vertical position as seen with respect to the middle post 17 in FIG. 3. When repeated as needed, this operation stretches all of the chain link fencing into position for support on the line posts thereof upon the ground engaging members.

When a run of fencing has been completed along one side of an enclosure in the manner just described, it is then secured to a corner post CP which also is adapted to rest upon a ground engaging member 25, see FIG. 4. If the distance between `a corner post and the last corner post is less than the typical modular distance, enough of the chain l-ink elements may be removed therefrom in the well known manner to provide a suitable smaller distance than the distance between the last ground engaging post and such corner post. This is best shown with respect to FIG. 4, and the placing of the last panel of chain link is done by placing a tension bar 311 through the links thereof, and securing such tension bar to the corner post CP by means of a conventional end band 32.

After the fencing has been placed in the manner described, each of the line posts may be surmounted by a loop cap 33 adapted to receive a galvanized top rail 34. Wire ties 36 secure the top of the chain link fencing 16 to the top rail 34. At a corner post CP the same may be surmounted by a post cap 37, and the ends of the top rail 34 is secured to the corner post CP by means of a rail end cap 38 which in turn is secured to the corner post CIP by a rail end band 39.

Elements 33, 34, 36, 37, 38 and 39 are no part of the present invention, and are merely disclosed as structure for completing the dress and support of the chain links at the tops thereof when the fence has been constructed as disclosed.

The structure and method disclosed enable a novice to erect chain link fencing with very few tools, those which may be commonly found in any household. Having thus described this invention in such full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, and having set forth the best mode contemplated of carrying out this invention, the subject matter regarded as being patentable is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in which is claimed, it being understood that equivalents or modifications of, `substitutions for, parts of the above specifically described embodiment may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in what is claimed.

I claim:

1. An improved chain link fence comprising chain link fencing material, a plurality of line posts including means `for securing said line posts to said chain link fencing, said line posts being secured to said chain link fencing at equal intervals defined by a first modular distance, a plui rality of ground engaging members disposed at equal intervals dened by a second modular distance which is greater than said first modular distance, each of said ground engaging members having an element engaged with a line post, said chain link fencing material being stretched an amount so that the distance between said line posts is equal to said second modular distance when said line post is engaged with said element.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said line posts and its associated elements are in telescoping engagement.

3. The invention as dened in claim 2 wherein said ground engaging member is provided with a shoulder against which said line post is adapted to rest when said line post is in the aforesaid telescoping engagement.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 415,825 11/1889 Taylor 256-40 680,342 8/1901 Martin 52--298 963,447 7/11910 Leonard 160-328 1,147,409 7/1915 Krawczyk 256--21` 1,378,948 5/'1921 Hage 52-298 `1,951,282 3/1934 Hise et al. 256-32, 2,052,774 9/1936 Kundert 256-47 X 2,753,156 7/1956 Rieger 256--125 3,021,114 2/ 1962 OConnell 256-24 3,091,045 5/1963 De Vilbiss 160-328 DAVID I. WILIJIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner,

D. L. TAYLOR, Assistant Examiner, 

1. AN IMPROVED CHAIN LINK FENCE COMPRISING CHAIN LINK FENCING MATERIAL, A PLURALITY OF LINE POSTS INCLUDING MEANS FOR SECURING SAID LINE POSTS TO SAID CHAIN LINK FENCING, SAID LINE POSTS BEING SECURED TO SAID CHAIN LINK FENCING AT EQUAL INTERVALS DEFINED BY A FIRST MODULAR DISTANCE, A PLURALITY OF GROUND ENGAGING MEMBERS DISPOSED AT EQUAL INTERVALS DEFINED BY A SECOND MODULAR DISTANCE WHICH IS GREATER THAN SAID FIRST MODULAR DISTANCE, EACH OF SAID GROUND ENGAGING MEMBERS HAVING AN ELEMENT ENGAGED WITH A LINE POST, SAID CHAIN LINK FENCING MATERIAL BEING STRETCHED AN AMOUNT SO THAT THE DISTANCE BETWEEN SAID LINE POSTS IS EQUAL TO SAID SECOND MODULAR DISTANCE WHEN SAID LINE POST IS ENGAGED WITH SAID ELEMENT. 